Steve Bruce today revealed that he started with Jermaine Pennant and Stan Lazaridis against Spurs because he felt they provided Blues with the best chance of winning the game.

Steve Bruce today revealed that he started with Jermaine Pennant and Stan Lazaridis against Spurs because he felt they provided Blues with the best chance of winning the game.

Pennant's inclusion raised eyebrows as he had just been released from prison and was under intense national scrutiny, not to mention lacking match sharpness.

And Lazaridis got the nod ahead of Julian Gray when it was thought the manager might hold him back after a 27-hour flight from Australia which arrived at 7am on Thursday.

But Bruce made no apologies for what he considers was a bold approach.

"Tottenham are a very good side and I just felt that we had to try and outscore them to get something," said Bruce.

"I thought let's give them the problems if we possibly could, we were at home.

"It was a big ask of both Jermaine and Stan. They both tired badly, as I knew they would, and they had to come off.

"In Jermaine's case, I wanted him to get everything over and done with as soon as possible and we all know he's got the sort of talent that can make a difference. I thought he coped well all things considered.

"In my eyes, Stan is more effective when you start him rather than bring him on. He needs to have his warm-ups and get himself going, it's always more difficult for a player coming on to get into the flow of a game."

Bruce would probably not have second thoughts about keeping his wingers in the starting line-up on Saturday for the tough fixture at Chelsea.

"I was quite pleased to get what we got," he admitted of the 1-1 draw.

"We didn't play with the sort of energy - if that's the right word - as we can, or as well as we had done in the three previous home games.

"Sometimes, you've got to give credit to the opposition and Tottenham were very good, especially up front."